Game device



Patented Nov. 5, 1940 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 14 Claims.

This invention relates to what might be termed a game device, but which in fact more accurately can be described as a skill testing apparatus, wherein a projectile is advanced upon a pocketed surface for passage through pockets in the surface in automatically moving a score indicator into display position; and more particularly in a game or apparatus of the character described wherein one may test his skill in performing what is termed a chip-shot in the game of golf, in which event the golf ball becomes the projectile. The object of the invention is to provide a game or'apparatus of the class described incorporating a collapsible backing or game board with means for supporting the same in extended position when set up for use; a further object being to provide means associated with the respective pockets of the game board to automatically actuate score or other indicating elements to designate the passage of the ball or other projectile through the pocket or pockets; 9. further object being to provide a suitable backing netting for checking the advancement of-a projectile and for returning the same in the direction of the player; a further object being to provide a game board or sheet of the device with a series of pockets equal to one half the number of holes usually played in a complete game of golf thus adapting the game for playing nine or eighteen holes of golf in a series of chip-shot plays of the respective players; and with these and other objects in view, the invention consists in a game apparatus of the class and for the purpose specified which is simple in construction, efiicient in use, and which is constructed as hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is fully disclosed in the following specification, of which the accompanying drawing forms a part, in which the separate parts of my improvement are designated by suitable reference characters in each of the views, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of the apparatus set up for use indicating one of the counters or markers in extended position.

Fig. 2 is a section substantially on the line 2--2 of Fig. l.

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing only a part of the construction on an enlarged scale.

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail view of one corner portion of the device as seen in Fig. 1 on an enlarged scale, and

Fig. 5 is a plan view of part of the structure as shown in Fig. 4.

While various types of games and amusement devices have been brought to the attention of'the public, no means has been provided to impfove the accuracy of performing what are termed chip-shots in the game of golf through the medium of a game device or testing apparatus, so constructed as to permit its use indoors, in the home, club houses, gymnasiums, and like places, as well as being suitable for outdoor use.

While in simple adaptationsof the game or apparatus one or a small number of pockets may be employed, it is preferred, from a golf game standpoint, to utilize a minimum of nine pockets characterized to represent nine holes of a game of golf, thus readily adapting the game for playing nine or eighteen holes of golf, or as many holes of golf as may be desired. In this connection, however, it will be understood that the invention, insofar as the principles or mode of operation are concerned, may be used in conjunction with various types and kinds of projectiles in which event, the size and arrangement of the respective pockets will be varied. In other words, the invention is applicable for use in advancing a basketball, football, baseball, tennis ball and the like, or any type and kind of an object or projectile which may be advanced by a club, bat or other medium, or

the various projectiles may be advanced by hand, 3

as will be apparent.

It will also be understood that in the different types and kinds of projectiles employed, or games played, different rules governing the play will be provided, and in fact, any one game may be played in several different manners. In this connection, in the golf game which has been illustrated for showing one adaptation of the invention, the objective may be to pass a golf ball through all of the pockets in the least number of strokes. On the other hand, it may be required that the golf balls be passed through consecutively numbered pockets in a limited number of strokes. Still further, one may be given a definite number of strokes and a score kept as to the number of pockets and different pockets registered in such given number of strokes.

It will also be apparent that in the'game of golf, the golf ball will be advanced by a suitable club from a mat or surface disposed at any predetermined spaced relationship to the surface on which the game apparatus is arranged. When the game is played outdoors, this distance may be equal to the longest pitch or chip-shot which QQuld be possibly played in a game of golf, pref- I erably using what is commonly termed a niblick or a mashie-niblick for the stroke.

In the accompanying drawing I have shown one form of game board or apparatus for carrying the invention into effect, and this consists of a heavy canvas sheet ll] of oblong rectangular form, tensionally supported within a frame consisting of pairs of cross legs each pair comprising a front leg l2 and a rear leg |3. These legs intersect and are coupled together by a winged nut screw as at H. The front leg has a long upwardly and rearwardly directed extension 15 and the rear leg has a short upper and forwardly directed extension l6. The free end of the extension I6 is notched as seen at I! to receive reduced ends |8a of a rod [8 arranged in a looped lower edge portion |0a of the sheet Ill. The upper ends of the extension l5 are slotted as indicated at |9 to receive angular end portions 20 of a transverse top frame member 2| which reinforces and braces the upper portion of the frame work of the game. I

The frame memberin the construction shown is.

formed from two strips 22 and 23 arranged one upon the other and secured together at spaced intervals by screws 24, the front rail 22 having.

the rod to securely retain the same in taut position, and if desired, a permanent connection by stitching or otherwise may be provided between the end lb of the sheet Ill. The upper edge of the strip 22 is curled inwardly as seen at 21, and this edge is offset at intervals as seen at 28 to form stops limiting upward swinging movement of markers, tallies, or other symbol elementsemployed in registering successful plays in the game.

The elements 29 in the construction shown are in the form of flags to be symbolic of the flags used on the greens in the game of golf. These flag elements have numbers thereon, note Figs. 1 and 4, coinciding with numbers arranged adjacent a series of pockets or openings 30 formed in the canvas l0.

The strip 23 has an upper channeled portion 23a within which is supported at spaced intervals -a plurality of pivot screws 3| and spaced pins 32,

note Fig. 4. The screws 3| form pivots for the flag elements 29. These screws have rectangular nut ends 33 which cooperate with a light flat spring member 34 tensionally supporting the flags in the lowered or concealed position as well as in their upright display position. One spring member 34 may be used to control two of the elements 29 and is supported in position by the pins 32 and by engagement with the nuts 33 in the manner clearly illustrated in Fig. 4. I'he pins 32 also serve to limit downward movement or the flags as will appear at the left of Fig. 4 of the drawing. Each flag element" has an apertured extension 29a with which an operating cord, wire, or link 35 is connected, a heavy and non-extendible cord being preferably employed. A downward pull on the cord will operate to raise the flag element against the light tension of the spring 34 as will be apparent. When moved into raised position the spring will support the element in this position as above stated.

Secured .to the canvas board H1 at each of the pocket openings 30 are depending flexible pocket members 36 preferably composed of a mesh matcrial of sufficient strength and texture to withstand the thrust or blow of the projectile employed. At the lower end of each pocket 36 is disposed a reinforcing ring 31 of rigid material such as heavy leather, rubber, or the like. To this ring is pivotally suspended a scoop-like shutter or control device 38 which is held in the path of the lower open end of the pocket 36 or the ring 31 thereon in such manner that in the passage of a ball or other projectile through the lower open end of the pocket, the shutter 38 will be depressed to cause a downward pull on the strands 35aattached to each side of the shutter,

note Fig. 1, and to the strand'35 to cause a downward pull on this strand which will simultaneously raise the particular element 29 to which the strand in question is coupled. The strand 35 .is guided through suitable loops or eyes 39 dis- "the elements employed. In other words, it will be apparent that the strands 35 plus the flared ends'35a thereof will support the shutters 38 in the desired raised position when the elements 29 are depressed as shown in full lines at the left of Fig.4, so that in the passage of a ball or other 1 projectile through the pockets the shutters will be lowered sufliciently to move the elements 29 into their n raised position, and as previously stated, this movement is checked by the stops 28. In other words, the ballsor projectiles cannot possibly pass through the pockets without raising the elements 29, even though they may roll through the pockets lightly.

Mounted in the upper ends of the extensions I5 are rods 40, the upper ends of which are split to receive the terminal knotted ends 4| of a cord 42 which supports the upper end of a backing netting 43. The lower end and corner portions of the netting have loops 44 which are placed in recessed or grooved portions 45 at the lower ends of the front legs |2, thus supporting the netting in a manner which will operate to advance the balls or projectiles dropped from the respective pockets in the direction of the player of the game. It will of course be understood that balls that do not strike upon the inclined canvas I0 or pass over the top of the rail 2|, will strike the back netting 43 and be advanced in the direction of the player, whereas balls that roll downwardly over the inclined surface of the canvas will also be directed in the same manner.

In some adaptations of the game, other types of backings or nettings may be used, not only at the back, but at the sides of the game apparatus. However, I have found from experience that for home and simplified uses of the game, the simple form illustrated cares for the conditions which prevail, as the chip-shots played from a mat or rug are not advanced more than fifteen or twenty feet, and the average player will, with reasonable accuracy, come within range of the canvas i0 and backing 43 in advancing the golf ball.

It will appear that the various openings 30 and the pockets 36 are arranged in scattered arrangement over the canvas It! with pocket number one arranged centrally of the canvas, pockets two and three at the upper corners, four and five at the upper edges at each side of the center pocket one, six and seven at the lower corner portions, and eight and nine adjacent the lower edge and in vertical alinement with four and five. As previously stated, the object may be to pass the golf ball through the pockets 'in the order of the numbers thereon or in passing golf balls through all of the pockets ,so as to raise all of the flag elements 29 in the least number of strokes or pitch shots. Of course a very skillful player can raise all of the nine elements 29 in "nine strokes, but I have found from experience that it requires usually in the neighborhood of thirty to fifty or more strokes to accomplish this result, which makes the game very close to theactual stroke requirement in playing the game of golf. It will of course be apparent that the accuracy required in passing the balls through the respective pockets will materially improve thegolfer's game in playing what are commonly termed as pitch or chip-shots. Game apparatus of this type and kind may thus be used in the home or on the lawn, in the clubhouse or on practice tees or associated with putting-greens, or as amusement devices for which prizes or premiums may be given for exceptional scoring.

By reason of the construction of the gameas described, it will be understood that the entire game board or apparatus may be quickly and easily knocked down and set up by detaching the flexible canvas ID from the extensions l5 and 16, then removing the rods 40 and detaching the back netting 43 and then separating the cross connections at M of the legs l2, l3. The canvas l0 may then be rolled or folded by rolling the rail 2| upon the rear surface of the canvas so as not to extend or stretch the cords 35, the backing 43 rolled upon said rolled canvas, and all of the parts placed in a comparatively small elongated case, no larger than a conventional small golf bag, and such case may be used for packing, storing,- as well as carrying the device as will be apparent. The case in question is not shown as it forms no direct part of the present invention.

It will be understood that after a player has completed the game or a given number of strokes, the raised flags are lowered by simply running the finger of the hand across the top of the rail or frame 2| from right to left, thus returning all of the raised flags to their normal depressed position, which operation will automatically raise the shutters 38 into proper position.

In playing the game, a number of balls may pass through one of the pockets, but it will be understood that only one registration will take place unless the flag or element 29 has been lowered. In manyinstances, the golf ball will pass directly into and through the pocket, whereas in other cases, the ball will strike-upon the canvas and roll into the pocket.

While my game has been illustrated as a home or domestic type with the lower edge of the canvas raised a predetermined distance above the floor or other surface, for example a foot to sixteen inches, it will of course be apparent that in other adaptations of the invention, the respective heights and sizes of the complete game apparatus including the arrangement of the pockets therein, may be varied. At times only a single pocket or opening would be required.

It will of course be apparent that instead of using elements 29 in the form of flags, elements of other shape and contour may be employed having different values thereon from the standpoint of keeping score. These elements may be characterized to represent various objects, figures or ornamental characters. Still further, it will be understood that the recording or regisgleqring mechanism employed, in the form of utters or the like which are actuated in the passage of the ball or other projectile through the pockets, may be coupled with any type and kind of registering, scoring or recording mechanism, disposed in any relationship whatever with respect to the game apparatus. It is by no means essential that the recording elements constitute a direct part of the playing area of the game. It will appear to anyone skilled in the art that an electrically actuated recording mechanism may be employed in this way. From another standpoint, it will appear that my invention isnot necessarily limited to the specific shuttercontrol herein disclosed for actuating the elements 29 in the passage of a projectile through the openings or pockets in the canvas. Other means can be employed to move these elements into the operative position. This would especiallybe true in the construction of an apparatus of this type and kind which would become a fixture rather than a portable and readily collapsible device.

It will be noted that in the collapsible device which is recommended for home use, the length of the top frame 2| is substantially equal to the longest legs l2, l5 of the frames ll so that the length of the resulting package will be within the limits of these parts. It is also preferable that theelements 29 be constructed of a spring or yieldable material capable of standing the blow of a ball, should the advanced ball strike a raised element. In some instances, guards may be provided to protect other forms of elements, but one of the important factors of a game of this type and kind which is intended for the home use, is to simplify and economize on the entire structure thereof so that the game may be sold at a price within the reach of the general public. In selling the game, the game may be'sold with or without a golf club or with and without golf balls. Of course this would also apply to other types and kinds of projectiles or game pieces which are employed, keeping in mind the various games which have been mentioned.

It will be understood that the flexible sheet [0 constitutes what may be termed the game board of the game apparatus, it being understood in this connection that in some types of games, the structure of the sheet may be modified. It will also be apparent that the front strip 22 may be said to be a guard strip as well as a mounting strip for the sheet 10, whereas the strip 23 con stitutes the mounting strip upon which all of the elements 29, including the pivots 3|, pins 32 and springs 34 are supported. This construction simplifies the manufacture and assemblage of the respectiveparts as will be apparent.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

1. A game device of the character described comprising a frame, a game board supported in the frame to expose a surface thereof for visibility to a player positioned in spaced relation to, the board, said game board having an opening therein, a play recording mechanism having an element ada ted to be actuated in the passage of a projectile through the opening in said board, means disposed at the opening of the board adapted to be actuated by the projectile in passing through said opening for automatically actuating said element, said last named means comprising a pocket of flexible material having a discharge opening, a shutter movably supported in connection with the pocket and controlling the pocket opening, flexible means placing the shutter in operative engagement with said element, said frame comprising two pair of detachably coupled long and short leg rails for supporting the game board in inclined position with the lower edge of the board in spaced relation to a supporting surface, the game board comprising a sheet of canvas, means at upper and lower edge portions of the canvas for detachably coupling the same with said 'pairs of leg rails, the means attaching the upper edge of the canvas comprising a transverse frame part, and said element being normally concealed within boundaries of said frame part and raised above the upper edge thereof when automatically actuated.

2. A game device of the character described comprising a frame, a game board supported in the frame to expose a surface thereof for visibility to a player positioned in spaced relationto the board, said game board having an opening therein, a play recording mechanism having an element adapted to be actuated in the passage of a projectile through the opening in said board, means disposed at the opening of the board adapted to be actuated by the projectile in passing through said opening for automatically actuating said element, said last named means comprising a pocket of flexible material having a discharge opening, a shutter movably supported in connection with the pocket and controlling the pocket opening, flexible means placing the shutter in operative engagement-with said element, said frame comprising two pair of detachably coupled long and short leg rails for supporting the game board in inclined position with the lowcr edge of the board in spaced relation to a supporting surface, the game board comprising a sheet of convas, means at upper and lower edge portions of the canvas for detachably coupling the same with said pairs of leg rails, the means attaching the upper edge of the canvas comprising a transverse frame part, said element being normally concealed within boundaries of said frame part and raised above the upper edge thereof when automatically actuated, and a backing netting detachably supported in connection with the leg rails of the frame to extend above the upper edge of the canvas and beneath the lower edge thereof.

3. A game of the character described comprising a frame, a game board supported in the frame, said board having a plurality of openings arranged in predetermined spaced relation to each other, a score recording device comprising a predetermined number of characterized elements. means associated with each opening in the game board and automatically actuated by the passage of a projectile therethr'ough for automatically actuating at least one of said elements. said last named means comprising flexible pockets arranged beneath each opening and having a discharge through which the projectile passes. a member movably supported in connection with each pocket to control the discharge thereof, means placing said member in operative engagement with one of said elements, said score recording device comprising a rail of the frame with which the upper edge of the game board is coupled, and said elements being pivotally supported within the boundaries of said rail and projected above the upper edge thereof when automatically actuated. Y

4. A collapsible knockdown game apparatus of v the class described comprising a frame having detachably coupled leg rails forming side frame members, transverse rods detachably coupled with the leg rails and spacing the side frame members one from the other, a sheet of flexible material stretched between the transverse rods and coupled therewith to form the game board of the apparatus, said flexible sheet having a plurality of openings formed therein into and through which a predetermined projectile is adapted to pass when advanced in the direction of the game board, a plurality of characterized elements movably supported in connection with one of said transverse rods and normally concealed within the boundaries of said rod, means associated with each opening in said sheet and in operative engagement with said elements for moving said elements into visible position with respect to said rod in the passage of a projectile through said opening.

5. A collapsible knockdown game apparatus of the class described comprising a frame having detachably coupled leg rails forming side frame members, transverse rods detachably coupled with the leg rails and spacing the side frame members one from the other, a sheet of flexible material stretched between the transverse rods and coupled therewith to form the game board of the apparatus, said flexible sheet having a plurality of openings formed therein into and through which a predetermined projectile is adapted to pass when advanced in the direction of the game board, a plurality of characterized elements movably supported in connection with one of said transverse rods and normally concealed within the boundaries of said rod, means associated with each opening in said sheet and in operative engagement with said elements for moving said elements into visible position with respect to said rod in the passage of a projectile through said opening, and tensional means supporting said elements in concealed and projected positions.

6. A collapsible knockdown game apparatus of the class described comprising a frame having detachably coupled leg rails forming side frame members, transverse rods detachably coupled with the leg rails and spacing the side frame members one from the other, a sheet of flexible material stretched between the transverse rods and coupled therewith to form the game board of the apparatus, said flexible sheet having a plu rality of openings formed therein into and through which a predetermined projectile is adapted to pass when advanced in the direction of the game board, a plurality of characterized elements movably supported in connection with one of said transverse rods and normally concealed within the boundaries of said rod, means associated with each opening in said sheet and in operative engagement with said elements for moving said elements into visible position with respect to said rod in the passage of a projectile through said opening, tensional means supporting said elements in concealed and projected positions, means checking movement of said elements in both positions, and a backing net supported in connection with the frame to extend above and beneath the flexible sheet.

'7. In a game apparatus of the class described, a play recording device comprising an elongated rail, a plurality of recording elements pivoted directly to the rail and normally concealed within boundaries thereof, flexible strands directly coupled with said elements for swinging the same on their pivots into projected position in the completion of a predetermined play in the game, and means on the pivots of said elements coopera play recording device comprising an elongated rail, a plurality of recording elements pivoted directly to the rail and normally concealed within boundaries thereof, flexible strands directly cg'nipled with said elements for swinging the same on their pivots into projected position in the completion of a predetermined play in the game, means on the pivots of said elements cooperating with tensional means for supporting the elements in both positions, said rail comprising two strips supported in spaced relation to each other with said elements arranged and operating between said strips, and means engaged by said elements limiting the movement of said elements in both directions.

9. A score recording device for games of'the character described comprising an elongated mounting strip and a guard'strip arranged over and in spaced relation to the mounting strip, a plurality of pivots spaced longitudinally of the mounting strip, score designating elements mounted on said pivots and having square shank portions, pins on said mounting strip intermediate the pivots forming stops limiting the movement of the elements into concealed position 'within and between both strips, an elongated plurality of pivots spaced longitudinally of themounting strip, score designating elements mounted on said pivots and having square shank portions; pins on said mounting strip intermediate the pivots forming stops limiting the movement of the elements into concealed position into projected position against the action of said spring, and means for adj'ustably supporting a game board sheet in connection with one of said strips.

11. A game device of the character described comprising a frame, a game board supported in the frame to exposea surface thereof for visibility to a player positioned in spaced relation to the board, said game board having an opening therein, a play,.recording mechanism having a recording element, a flexible tubular discharge at in passing through said opening and discharge for automatically actuating said element and flexible means coupled with said member and element and mounted on said game board for placing said member and element in operative engagement.

12. A game device of the character described comprising a frame, a game board supported in the frame to expose a surface'there'of for visibility to a player positioned in spaced relation to the said opening, a movable member carried by saidflexible discharge and actuated by the projectile board, said game board having an opening thereopening, a movable member carried by said flexible discharge and actuated by'the projectile in passing through said opening and discharge for automatically actuating said element, and flexi-l ble means coupled with said member and ele-' ment and mounted on said game board for placing said member and element in operative errgagement, and a forwardly inclined backing sup-,- ported in spaced relation to said game board and upon which the projectile is adapted to drop to advance the projectile in the direction of the player.

13. A game device of the character described comprising a frame, a game board supported in the frame to expose a surface thereof for visibility to a player positioned in spaced relation to the board, said'game board having an opening therein, a play'recording mechanismhaving an element adapted to be actuated in the passage of a projectile through the .opening in said board,

means disposed at the opening of the board adapted to be actuated by the projectile in passing through said opening for automatically actuating said element, said 'last named means comprising a tubular pocket of flexible material arranged rearwardly of said opening, a shutter.

movably supported in connection with the pocket and operated by passage of a projectile therethrough, and flexible means placing the shutter in operative engagement with said element to actuate said element.

14. In a game of the character described, a combination game board and recording mechanism comprising an elongated strip, a plurality. of characterized elements movably supported in connection with said strip, a flexible sheet forming the game board proper, one edge of said sheet being attached to said strip, said sheet having a plurality of openings through which a projectile is adapted to pass, means adjacent each opening jectile therethrough, and meansinvolving flexible couplings between said last named means and said elements for actuatingthe elements in the passage of a projectile through said openings and adapted to be actuated in the passage of a pro- 

